While cornerback was a glaring need in the offseason, the Green Bay Packers didn't have to make any major additions at safety because they're stacked at the position. While Xavier McKinney gets most of the spotlight, he's far from the only playmaker the Packers have at the position.
Evan Williams may not draw nearly as much recognition as McKinney, but it's not for his lack of impact.
In fact, the 2024 fourth-round pick is a rising star in the Green Bay secondary.
Evan Williams was dubbed the Packers' best-kept secret
Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report drew up a list of every NFL team's best-kept secret. For the Packers, he chose Evan Williams, pointing out that he's shown substantial improvement each of the past two seasons.
"Two years ago, the Green Bay Packers spent three draft picks on the safety position, and the approach worked out well," Sobleski wrote. "Evan Williams was the second selected as a fourth-round pick, yet he's already proven himself to be one of the NFL's best young defensive backs. With Javon Bullard primarily working the slot, Williams flashed as a rookie. He emerged as a full-time starter in 2025 and stuffed the stat sheet with 100 total tackles, five defended passes and four interceptions."
Sobleski later points out that McKinney was an All-Pro nod the past two years, but Williams is equally deserving of recognition across the league.
Following the 2025 season, head coach Matt LaFleur heaped praise on Williams, highlighting his ballhawk skills and stating that he was so intelligent that it was like "having another coach on the field."
Aside from his football IQ, one of Williams' traits that isn't discussed nearly enough is his ability to bring the heat. While he excels in the back end, he also saw playing time near the line of scrimmage and finished the year with four tackles for a loss and two total pressures.
The Packers have an ascending star in Evan Williams
Most fans may recall that Williams led a Skol chant after picking off J.J. McCarthy in a win over the dreaded division-rival Minnesota Vikings last year. But that's just one of many impact plays he made.
Already, Williams has racked up four career interceptions. If he can have as many next year, and if one of those comes in prime time, it will be impossible to ignore him. Another thing that can help the former Oregon Duck post a banner season is the arrival of defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon.
Even though Gannon flamed out as the head coach for the Arizona Cardinals, he's routinely gotten the most out of his players at all his previous stops. It shouldn't be any different in Titletown with Williams, who should have no trouble taking another leap.
And that's the thing, as good as Williams has been, he's yet to reach his ceiling. The Packers will be thrilled if that changes next season.
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